Belgian classic specialist Sep Vanmarcke proved his explosiveness in the second stage on Settimana Ciclistica Italiana. After 186 hilly kilometers, Vanmarcke finished third, took a bunch of seconds on the line and moved up in the general classification. 

“I surprised myself a little bit with my sprint”, Vanmarcke said after the finish. “I was faster than I thought I could be.”

Settimana Ciclistica Italiana 2021 – 1st Edition – 2sn stage Sassari – Oristano 185,5 km15/07/2021 – Barnabas Peak (HUN – Team Bikeexchange) – Pascal Ackermann (GER – Bora – Hansgrohe) – photo Tommaso Pelagalli/BettiniPhoto©2021

He also looked back on yesterday’s stage. “Now that I gained time on other GC-competitors, I am a little bit disappointed about yesterday’s stage. If I could have been on the podium yesterday as well, instead of coming from a bit too far back, I would have been even closer to the leader’s jersey.”

However, Vanmarcke is more than ever in the game for the GC, which is also a goal for Israel Start-Up Nation. “Ben Hermans is also in contention, so we are with two strong forces and a good team aiming for it.” 

Theoretically, the penultimate stage is very interesting for the two Belgian GC-contenders. It is similar to today’s stage, and gives an opportunity for both to make some moves. “Surely we are aiming for the overall victory here”, Vanmarcke said.

After today, the Belgian is third on GC, six seconds behind the leader.